Peanut butter bon bons are easy no-bake chocolate candies with a creamy and crispy peanut butter center and rich chocolatey coating on the outside. They’re rich, satisfying, and perfect for any occasion calling for an indulgent dessert such as Christmas or Valentine’s Day.
This recipe was originally published on May 25, 2021. It was updated with new recipe information on January 3, 2023.
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Table of contents
Enrobed in a rich chocolate glaze, these bonbons are very similar to peanut butter melt aways. The peanut butter filling will be silky and the chocolate coating firm resulting in an indulgent treat to satisfy your peanut butter sweet tooth whenever the cravings call.
Enjoy them any time of year but they are perfect for the holidays, cookie exchanges, wedding cookie tables, and for Valentine's Day.
Peanut butter and chocolate might just be a match made in heaven! It’s certainly a popular combo and I love it any time of year. It shows up in my peanut butter and chocolate swirled banana bread recipe which is a hit any time of year. While Peanut butter brookies are a favorite next-level brownie experience.
What are bon bons?
Bon bons are small chocolate candies that are often stuffed with sweet fillings. They can be made with different types of chocolate including dark, milk, and white chocolate. They are a bit different from truffles in that they do not have chocolate on the inside but rather chocolate bon bon candy has centers made from peanut butter, caramel, whiskey, fruit or candied fruit, and more.
This bon bon recipe with peanut butter is also known as peanut butter meltaways, chocolate peanut butter balls, and of course peanut butter bon bons. They are a truly dreamy no-bake recipe that is reminiscent of homemade Reese's cups in a round truffle-like shape. In my recipe, cocoa Krispies dot the peanut butter filling for a texture that’s creamy and crunchy while still being nutty and sweet like the peanut butter cups.
Why You Will Love this Peanut Butter Bon Bon Recipe
- Pure Indulgence: Each bite of bon bon balls is creamy, crispy, peanut butter, rich, and delicious.
- No Cooking Required: No hot oven, no baking pans to wash, and no need for electric kitchen equipment!
- All Occasions or Holidays: Enjoy these peanut butter balls as a special treat or gift for the holidays or a simple dessert for any time of the year.
Ingredients
The ingredients to make homemade bon bons are easy to find in most well-stocked grocery stores. Here are the tips on the main ingredients while the full list and quantities of each ingredient is down the page in the recipe card.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: Use a creamy peanut butter (like Jif or Skippy) rather than natural peanut butter. The result is a smooth and creamy peanut butter filling.
- Confectioner's Sugar: Dissolves into the peanut butter to add sweetness while ensuring it’s creamy.
- Unsalted Butter: Unsalted is best for more control over the saltiness of your chocolate peanut butter bon bons. If you use salted adjust the added salt to just a scant ¼ teaspoon of salt.
- Cocoa Crisp Cereal: This is my secret ingredient and what makes this bon bon recipe stand out from all the others. It adds more chocolate essence to each bite. This includes brands such as Cocoa Krispies or Cocoa Pebbles. If you prefer you can use traditional crisp rice cereal in its place.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: Make sure you’re using pure extract for the best flavor. This adds hints of natural sweetness, warmth, and aroma to the filling.
- Semisweet chocolate chips: Semi-sweet chocolate is ideal because it’s perfectly balanced in sweetness and bitterness. You can use chips or chocolate bar cut into pieces. You can also use dark chocolate chips for a richer bon bon and more intense chocolate flavor.
- Coconut Oil: Just a bit of coconut oil helps the chocolate smooth out during melting. Vegetable or canola oil can easily work in place of coconut oil.
Variations
Swap the Chocolate: Experiment with other flavors such as butterscotch chips or white chocolate chips for a little variety. You can even do a mixture of different chocolates to make bon bon candies with different coatings. Some in white chocolate, dark, and butterscotch!
Adding Sprinkles: The perfect way to make more festive bon bons for holidays or special occasions. Sprinkle chocolate jimmies into the peanut butter filling or sprinkle rainbow non-pareils on top of the melted chocolate so they will stick.
How to Make Peanut Butter Bon Bons
Step 1: Cream the peanut butter and butter together until smooth.
Step 2: Add the vanilla extract, salt, and confectioners' sugar to the peanut butter. Mix until the dough sticks together and forms a thick mass.
Step 3: Add the chocolate rice crisp cereal and stir until combined.
Step 4: Scoop the dough, roll it into a ball, and place it on the lined cookie sheet. You want them to be easy to eat in a bite or two.
PRO TIP: A scant 2 tablespoon scoop works well but you can also make them smaller if desired. Chill the balls until they’re firm.
Step 5: Melt the chocolate and coconut oil together in a small mixing bowl until smooth.
Step 6: Dip each peanut butter ball into the melted chocolate using a toothpick. Turn the ball in the chocolate or drizzle with the chocolate until it is fully covered. Repeat until they’re all dipped and then chill in the fridge until set.
Recipe Pro-Tips
- Use traditional creamy, not "natural", peanut butter. Natural peanut butter doesn't have the creaminess and viscosity to it that traditional peanut butter like Jif or Skippy and will result in less-than-ideal centers.
- Soften the butter to room temperature. Or ideally until you can press the butter firmly but gently with your finger and an indentation remains in the butter. You can soften the butter to room temperature on the counter for 1-2 hours or in the microwave on low heat in 20-30 second intervals.
- Melt the chocolate at low heat. This prevents the chocolate from burning. I recommend melting it on 30% heat for 35-45 second intervals. Mix between intervals and repeat only until the chocolate is smooth.
- Scrape down the sides of the bowl when mixing. Especially when mixing the peanut butter and butter and after adding the confectioner's sugar. This will help the bonbons to have the best texture without pockets of just peanut butter or too much confectioner's sugar. It also helps them to stick together the best.
- Serve chocolate peanut butter bon bons cool. This allows the chocolate to firm up. The bon bons also hold their texture better at room temperature, making them perfect for indulgent bites.
Storage Directions
Leftover peanut butter balls will last covered in an airtight container for up to 7 days. They can also be frozen in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
Recipe FAQs
They need to chill for 1 ½ - 3 hours before serving which is generally long enough for the chocolate glaze to harden entirely. You'll know it has hardened entirely when you can gently tap the bonbons and it sounds hollow and when the bonbons easily release from the parchment paper or baking mat.
If you have any leftover melted chocolate after glazing the bonbons, you can make chocolate squares out of it. Just pour the chocolate into a silicone ice cube tray. I recommend ¼" in each cube and then chill it until the chocolate hardens. It's a great way to cut back on waste while having extra chocolate goodies to enjoy!
Tools Needed to Make This Recipe
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Mixing bowls
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Cookie scooper
- Toothpicks
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
More Chocolate Dessert Recipes
- Chocolate Hazelnut Bon Bons
- Chocolate Rice Crispy Treats
- Double Chocolate Andes Mint Cookies
- Chocolate Coconut Cookies
- Chocolate Coconut Bars
- Chewy Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies
If you made and liked this recipe, don't forget to rate the recipe and let me know how it went for you in the comments! It always makes my day to hear from you!
Cindy says
Hi my name is Cindy from Colorado, I’m have celiac disease and soy free I’m also allergic to dairy, I’ve been making bonbons for over 20 plus years, this past July I was having a bad allergic reaction to dairy got tested and I’m doing shots now weekly, I read your recipe on Bon bons can I add coconut oil to my peanut butter and chocolate, powdered sugar mix not sure if this will work? I never have before added coconut oil to my melted chocolate I’ve been baking and cooking longer then you were born sorry to say that. Please don’t get hurt feelings over this. The ingredients now a days are expensive so I don’t want to mess up and throw it away as I have in the past thx Cindy from Colorado
Megan says
I make these every year for my Christmas cookie box and they never disappoint so I thought it was time to write a review! If you're on the fence about making these, just do it! They're so good.
Mae's Menu says
Thanks so much for sharing and reviewing, Megan! I am so glad to hear that you like them!
Best,
Chelsea
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